The new A380 made its maiden flight from Toulouse in April

However, the prime minister said he "appreciated the strength of the argument" at a meeting on Wednesday.

The firm wants the money to produce a fleet of Airbus 350s, whose wings would be built at Broughton in Flintshire.

Labour MPs Mark Tami and David Hanson have said quick approval is needed to prevent the work going abroad.

Mr Blair said in the meeting in Westminster that he appreciated the need for a speedy decision.

The Airbus 350 wings would use new carbon composite technology, but there are fears that without the loan the jobs could go elsewhere in Europe.

Alyn and Deeside MP Mr Tami said thousands of jobs at Broughton could be put at risk.

The Broughton plant employs thousands in making the wings for the A380 super jumbo, the world's largest passenger plane.

It made its maiden flight from its production site in Toulouse in April, and is due to begin commercial flights in 2006.

The A380 cost about �6bn to develop, and it received loans from the UK government. Mr Tami said previous loans to Airbus had been repaid with interest.

The company said it needed to know by the middle of this month whether it would be offered the loan.

However, there are fears of a new trade war with the United States if the loans are granted.